Chapter 10. blade

The journey back to the Varrow estate was far less peaceful than the journey to the northern outpost. The tension that had settled over Celeste since departing Lord Valtin's estate had not lifted, despite her success in the negotiations.

The carriage wheels creaked over uneven cobblestones as the forest loomed around them, its shadows lengthened by the faint light of the moon. Celeste sat upright, her gaze flicking between the window and Sir Edrick, who had remained uncharacteristically quiet.

"You're unusually pensive, Sir Edrick," she said, her voice breaking the stillness.

Edrick looked up from where he had been idly adjusting the buckles on his bracers. "I'm just thinking about what happened back there," he admitted. "Valtin gave in, but he didn't seem... defeated."